13 in 30’s Major League Baseball Players of the Month: March/April
The first full month of the 2018 Major League Baseball season is in the books. Here are the official 13 in 30 Players of the Month.
American League Player of the Month
Didi Gregorious
In a golden age of shortstops, which includes Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Trea Turner, and Corey Seager, Didi has somehow separated himself from the pack in the month of April (and tail end of March). To begin the season, Didi has slashed 0.327/0.421/0.735 all while hitting 10 home runs (a number matched only by Mike Trout for the most in baseball). While it is silly to think he can sustain these numbers over the entire season, it is a very good sign for the Yankee faithful that 2018 will be a continuation of his breakout 2017 season.
Lost in the other Yankees headlines, including the continued success of Aaron Judge, the struggles of Giancarlo Stanton, and the callups of Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar, Gregorious was the best player on not only the Yankees, but in the entire American League.
Gregorious’s efforts have helped the Yankees to an 18–10 record, including winning 9 of their last 10. After a slow start to the season, the Yankees have climbed their way back to 3 games behind Boston.
National League Player of the Month
Freddie Freeman
Playing through a rebuild, Freddie Freeman is the oft forgotten Braves’ first baseman. Through one month of the 2018 season, Freeman is slashing .314/.437/.559 to go along with 4 home runs and 0.417 wOBA.
While Braves’ sophomore phenom Ozzie Albies has taken the headlines with a power surge of nine home runs, the Braves are still centered around their veteran first baseman. While Freeman’s home run numbers aren’t anything eye opening at this point in the season, he still drives the ball with an ISO of 0.245. Pair that with his consistent contact and ability to get on base through the bases on balls, Freddie Freeman continues to show why he is the best first baseman in the league.
The Braves look like they might have actually turned a corner this time. Freeman’s efforts have helped the Braves into what looks like a wild chase for the NL East. The Braves finish April 16–11 and 1.5 games behind the Mets. The Braves can take the lead this week as they begin a 3 game set in Queens.
American League Pitcher of the Month
Gerrit Cole
The Astros got even more than what they traded for in Gerrit Cole. The former Pittsburgh Pirate has found new life in Houston, to a tune of a 1.73 ERA with 61 K’s (an Astros record for one month). The new Astros flamethrowing starter has put up very sustainable numbers with a 0.272 BABIP and 84.4% LOB%.
The new emphasis on his slider has worked wonders, bamboozling hitters from both sides, and more impressively, the left side. Couple that with new found life on his four seam fastball, Gerrit Cole could be in the favorite to win the AL Cy Young (that is, unless other Astros pitchers cannibalize each others votes).
Gerrit Cole’s efforts have been awarded with the Astros AL West leading 20–10. While the Astros have at time not looked like the world breakers they were at times in 2017, starting pitching has little blame to take, especially Gerrit Cole.
National League Pitcher of the Month
Max Scherzer
What can we say? Max Scherzer has established himself as one of the games all time great pitchers. Coming off of a 2017 Cy Young campaign (his third), Scherzer shows no signs of slowing down. Through April, Scherzer has posted a 1.62 ERA and 57 strikeouts.
Scherzer continues to show growth even through his age 33 campaign, finding a new dominance against left handed hitting. In his career, lefties are slashing 0.243/0.314/0.410 against Scherzer with a wOBA of 0.317 versus an uncanny 0.161/0.228/0.301 in 2018 and a wOBA of 0.236.
The Nationals have struggled to start 2018, who stand at 4th in the NL East and 5.5 games behind the Mets. Max Scherzer however, should take no blame for their struggles.
